Event Description:

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the House Committee on Oversight and Reform has rescheduled the hearing on Norton’s District of Columbia statehood bill (H.R. 51) for 10:00 a.m. on September 19, 2019, in 2154 Rayburn House Office Building. Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings (D-MD), at Norton’s request, postponed the previously scheduled D.C. statehood hearing when it was announced that former Special Counsel Robert Mueller would be testifying in the House on the same day as the statehood hearing. Norton’s D.C. statehood bill has a record number of voting cosponsors in the House (213), a strong indication of House passage, and Senate (33). The Senate version was introduced by Senator Tom Carper (D-DE).

“I am particularly grateful to Chairman Cummings for his leadership and for quickly pressing forward with this hearing, which is necessary for our D.C. statehood bill to move to the House floor,” Norton said.

Just seven months into the new Congress, Norton has built historic support for her D.C. statehood. In March, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act, which contained extensive findings supporting D.C. statehood, marking the first time in American history either chamber of Congress has endorsed D.C. statehood; Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) strongly endorsed D.C. statehood upon introduction of Norton’s D.C. statehood bill; House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), a cosponsor of the statehood bill, endorsed D.C. statehood in a strong op-ed earlier this year; Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) unveiled a sweeping proposal to combat voter disenfranchisement, including restoring the Voting Rights Act, establishing national, automatic voter registration laws, and supporting D.C. statehood; and the statehood bill is endorsed by nearly 100 national advocacy groups.

Directions to event:

Location:
The Rayburn House Office Building is located on Independence Avenue between First Street SW and South
Capitol Street in Washington, DC. The event will take place in Room 2154 on the second floor.
By Metro:
From Capitol South Station:
Take the Blue or Orange line to Capitol South Metro station. After ascending the escalators from the Metro
station, turn left on First Street. Take a left at the corner onto C Street. The Rayburn Building is the third
office building on your right. Visit Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority's website
(www.wmata.com) for rail maps, fares, how to ride and more.
By Car:
Traveling to Capitol Hill by car is discouraged as parking in the area is extremely limited.
Most street parking is time restricted at 2 hours, so it is only practical for one brief meeting. Some street
parking is metered, so you will need to bring quarters. Look for parking beyond the two block range from the
US Capitol building as public parking is not permitted in the two block area surrounding the Capitol. Do not
look for parking due west of the Capitol building because that area includes the Capitol Reflecting Pool and
permit-only parking. See Parking on Capitol Hill below based on your specific Capitol Hill destination.
Alternatives include parking at Union Station (Metro: Union Station) and walking or parking at the
Washington Design Center (Metro: Federal Center SW) and taking the Metro to the Capitol South Metro stop,
walking or taking a cab.
Senate Side and Capitol Visitor Center (north side of Capitol)
The four-level parking garage with 1,500 spaces at Union Station (60 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington,
DC) is open 24/7. (For information, please call Allright parking at 202-898-1950. Allright Parking accepts cash,
Visa, MasterCard and American Express.) (Metro: Union Station)
There is underground parking at Hall of the States (444 North Capitol Street NW, Washington, DC). Contact
the parking garage for hours of operation at 202-298-7299. (Metro: Union Station)
Street Parking Tips: Look for parking in an area bounded by F Street NE on the north, Maryland Avenue NE on
the south, 6th Street NE on the east, and 3rd Street NE on the west.
House Side (south side of Capitol)
Midtown Parking Garage (limited spaces, underground parking), 412 First Street SE, Washington, DC.
Street Parking Tips: Look for parking in an area bounded by C Street SE on the north, E Street SE on the south,
4th Street SE on the east, and 1st Street SE on the west.
Driving From Union Station:
Start off going around Columbus Circle and joining 1st Street Northeast, going south. Take a left onto D
Street, and shortly afterward a right onto 2nd Street Northeast. Follow 2nd Street South until it becomes 2nd
Street Southeast, then take a right onto C Street Southeast. Follow C Street down the hill. The Rayburn
House Office Building will be the fourth large building on your right, at the bottom of the hill.